Disaster for Newcastle United as Real Madrid enter the race to sign £20m star

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Newcastle United faces competition from Real Madrid for a highly sought-after defender.

Sporting director Paul Mitchell has his work cut out for him in the January transfer window – Eddie Howe wants three positions but ongoing pressures from the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules make proceedings difficult.

Newcastle must sell before they can buy, but there’s no shortage of potential outgoings. Martin Dubrakva looks set to leave Newcastle in the coming days while the likes of Kieran Trippier and Miguel Almiron are eyeing futures away from the club.

Newcastle are prioritising a right winger in January but there is hope that there will be funds available to sign a defender. Newcastle tried signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in the summer but several rejected bids left Mitchell with egg on his face.

It hasn’t turned out to be a disaster for Howe, Fabian Schar’s performances this season have been a silver lining in the wake of their summer failings, with the Swiss defender now 33, Newcastle have identified their next long-term option.

However, recent words from Spain suggest it has become much harder for Mitchell to land him.

Real Madrid expresses interest in Newcastle target Abdukodir Khusanov

Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov has impressed in his 13 Ligue 1 appearances this season. Newcastle want the Uzbek but they’re not alone in their interest.

Manchester City are favourites to sign Khusanov who would cost clubs around £20m in January. Now, according to Santi Aouna, Spanish giants Real Madrid have come forward as another club interested in the 20-year-old.

The speculation even caused Khusanov’s agent to comment on the transfer rumours. Gairat Khasbiullin says Khusanov “deserves to play in the best clubs in Europe.”

He also told Aouna: “We are grateful for everything that Lens has given us and that in this situation, but it is up to the player to decide the next step to take.”

Despite interest from clubs all across Europe, Khusanov is still yet to decide his future.

Lens are a club in high demand thanks to their impressive start to the season – head coach Will Still has guided his side to seventh in Ligue 1, three points off a European spot.

Khusanov compared to Newcastle defenders

Aside from Sven Botman who returned against Tottenham, Newcastle’s central defenders are now in their 30s. Botman looks to be the long-term successor to Dan Burn, but there’s no replacement for Schar or Jamaal Lascelles.

The pair are out of contract at the end of the season, so Khusanov would be an ideal long-term replacement but it won’t be easy by any means.

There is still no confirmed return date for Lascelles, the 31-year-old suffered an ACL injury in March and only returned to training in December.